Rapid printing-telegraph system.



C. G. ASHLEY. RAPID PHINTINIG TELEGRAPH SYSTEM. APPLICATION FILED APR.2B,1910. RENEWED MAY 20. 1912.

Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

2SHEBTS-SHEBT 1.

f72i672f07" v dfzaries (Zflsiziey messes 0. G. ASHLEY. RAPID PRINTING TELEGRAPH SYSTEM.

I APPLICATION FILED APR.Z8, 1910. RENEWED MAY 20, 1912.

[,1 30,688. Patented M21112, 1915.

. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

\ o N g o o O o \B s l 2 M1 0 In 0 O O \1 O Q zl/ if 6 MxN 247222265365: Jaw 7220;": QM CZzar/es 6f flsizle? crmntss e. ASHLEY, or

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A$SIGNOR,

ora ion BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, Ti]

GENERAL ENGINEERING AND CONSTRUCTION COMPANY, LIMITED, A CORPORATION OF ONTARIO, CANADA.

RAFID PRINTIN (i-TELEGRAPH SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Batent,

Patented Mar. 2, 1915.

Application filed. April 28, 1910, Serial No. 558,134. Renervea May 20; 1912. Serial No. 698,622.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Cnannns G. ASHLEY, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident oi Chicago, county of Cook, and State of Illinois, and useful improvement in Rapid Printing- Telegraph Systems, of which the following i is a specification.

My invention pertains to rapid printing telegraph systems and embodies an improvement in transmitting apparatus and circuits as used in such systems. In such systems, a comparatively small number of printing types or equivalent devices are electromagnetic-ally controlled and operated to produce complete clmracters; each of such types representing one 01' more component parts or elements of the letters or figures, each letter or figure being produced on a recording tape by printing in proper relation a plurality of the small number of component types representing the respective component parts of the complete characters. In such systems there is employed, as a means of transmitting the current impulses necessary to the operation ofthe printing types at the receiver, a perforated transmitting tape, the perforations being spaced in a predetermined manner, longitudinally along the tape in order that the types at the receiving station may operate in proper time intervals to accomplish the proper spacing of the printing type elements and complete characters,.the transverse spacing of the perforations in the tape permitting the selection of the proper type components to produce the complete character on the recording tape.

The improvement contemplated by my present invention comprises a means where by the perforations in the transmitting tape may be spaced to operate the transmitting tape at a slow speed compared with the as connecting them; Fig.

sociated transmission speed. I am able to produce a. short m'it any given message thus acconmlishing a. positive and uniform control of the trans mitter and to attain a high operating elliciency of the transmitter.

in the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specificaticu -Figure 1 illustrates in diagram the circuit arrange ments at both a transmitting and receiving station. together with the line conductors illustrates an end have invented a new transmitting tape to transx vieiv of the transmitting device, showing both the tape drums and impulse selector; Flg. 3 is an elevation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 illustrates a section of transmission tape as used With. my imprm ed device Fig. 5 illustrates an arrangement of the type elements or printing Faces of the receiving device; Fig 6 illustrates in diagram the receiver; Fig. 7 illustrates a section of transmitting tape of ordinary fo1 m;.and, Fig, 8 illustrates a section of recording tape printed with the letters corresponding to perforations in the section of transmitting tape shown in Figs. t and 7.

Referring to Fig. l, conductors 40 and 41 are the transmitting line conductors; at the leftare the transmitting devices; and at the right are the receiving devices, shown in diagram in. order to make clear the electrical circuits. Electrically considered, the object of the system of 1 is to control selectively the operation of the printing pens 20, 20 20 and 20 of the receiving device 20, by means of circuits closed through holes punched in the transmitting tape 11., the controlling circuit being formed over the conductors 40 or 41 and ground, the actuating clcctromotive force being supplied by the direct current generators 2 and 3, and

- order that the retpiiremcnts of the transmitting devices may he more fully understood, reference is made to Figs. 5 and (i, as well to Fig. 1, in all of which like reference numerals denote like parts. The printing types 20" 12-0 20" and 20* are carried on springs and are normally held against the tension of these springs out of contact with the recording tape 21 through the influence of the polarizing magnet 26. Four electromagnets, as 31 and 32, are associated each with one of the printing pens, the'windings of the magnets controlling the pens 20 and 20 being placed in serics each to each and connected to one of the line conductors and the ground. while the windings of the mag nets controlling pcnsQO and 20* are placed in series each to each and connected to the other line conductor and the ground. winding of each pair of magnets so placed in. the circuit is arranged so that an impulse of one polarity will release one pen of that The - as illustrate I distances along the brush 10; contact '5 pair of pens and allow it to make an imprint on the recordin of the pair wil bemore strongly attracted to its contrqlling'magnet. An anvil 24 is placed opposite the printing face .of the pen. The recording tape 21 hes upon the surface of the anvil and is'passed laterally before the printin face of the pen by means of rollers 22 an ,23. The receiver illustrated is arranged for electro chemical printing and a battery 25 is connected to the pens and the anvil for that purpose. This means of rinting is common in the art and needs no dilrther explanation.

The transmitting device, together with its associated circuits, embodies the improvement of my resent invention. This device, d' in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, comprises a continuously revolvingdrum 10, carrying five conductor rings 7,, 7 7, 7 and 7 each moving in continuouscontact with one of are, however, 110171182115 held out of contact with theconductor rings by the perforated transmitting tape 11. An impulse selector 5, comprising a series of insulated contacts 5', 5 5 5*; 15', 15*, 15 ,15 is mounted rigidly-upon the'frame of the transmitter and provided with a contact maker 1 5 carried upon the shaft 8 and rotated with the drum 10 by means. of the spur gears l and 17, thus always maintaining a. definite relation between the positionof the contact maker 15 and drum -10. The'contacts 5' to 5 of the impulse selector 5, are connected to the brushes 10 to 10 as followsi Contact 5 is connected to brush 10; contact 5, to

tact 5* to brushes 10 and 15 and 10'. Contacts 15 are connectedto the negati'veterminal of generator 3, While contacts 15 and 15 are connected to the generator 2. The generators have their remaining terminals connected'together and grounded at 1. Wiper 15 of .the impulse selector, as viewedin 'Fig. 2, is adapted to rotate from left to right and to make contact simultaneously between the insulated contacts 5 and 15; 5 and 15, etc., thus placing a current impulse of predetermined polarity upon the brushes 10 10 and 10, etc. The transmitter drum 10 is provided with a central row of pins 9, spaced at equal surface of the drum and adapted, through a series oi central perforations in the transmitting tape 11, to maintain the tape in a predetermined register with the surface of the drum dur: ing the longitudinal motion of the tape through the transmitter. The transmitting tape, through perforations therein, permits tape 21, while'the other pen 12 is adapted to make,

to brush 10"; and conpositive terminal of 'meral.

etween the speed of the transr'n'itting tape and the speed of the wiper 15 of impulse selector 5, which permits. of the selection of proper polarity of the impulse. A time re-l lation also exists between the speed of the transmitt ng tape,impulse selector and re' cording tape, in order that the printed components of the letters or promptly spaced, and further, in order that, the letters or numerals may be correctly spaced on the recording tape.

The recording tape, as well as the trans: mitting tape, is moved longitudinally in any well-known manner. I prefer, however, to employ small electric motor driving rollers which serve to pull theftape'at a uniform and proper speed throughthe receiving device, and allow the transmitting tape to be carried through thetransmitter' bv'mcan's of the pins on the drum, the power being derived from a small electric sector, through the shaft 8. r

numerals mriy bej 5 Control of the printing pens 20 to 20 f byperforations in the tape 11 is as follows:

Perforations in the tape are confined to five longitudinal rows corresponding to the five contact rings 7 to 7 drum l0 and numbered 1, 2,2, '4, 3. The row of central perforations 11 in the tape 11 are spaced to register with and admit the the spacing of theprongs 9 on the drum 10, prongs being of the drum wiper 15 making one-half revolution, while in such relationwith the speed 10 and wiper 15 as to allowof' of the transmitter that portion of the circumference of the drum lO defined between any two prongs is passing under the contact portion of brushes 12 and 13. Thus, by proper spacing of the perforations between-any two'central perforations of the tape 11, negative impulse maybe sent over either line through its associated ing magnets to operatepens, as 20 and the ground 51. Any perforation placed in the tape along the line 1 of the tape and opposite any central perforation, will'-al \vaysallow of the a positive andv pair of. receiiand 20, v

pen 20 being operated to imprint its component of a letter or nu- Any perforation spaced along the line 2 of the tape ill and on aline connecting line 1 and line '3 oftape 11, will allow of an impulse ofopposite polarity, from the initial impulse to be sent over the same line through the same pair of receiving magnets, and will cause the operation of the. pen 20 thus imprinting the character :rep-

resented thereby on the receiving tape. A perforation spaced along the hne'l of the tape ll and on a diagonal llne connecting line 3 and line 1 of the tape, will allow an impulse of predetermined polarity to he sent over the other line to ground, thus operating pen while a perforation spaced along the lines 2" and. 3 of tape 11 will, as hereinafter described, allow pens 20 or pen 20 to be operated. As viewed in Figs. 2 and 3,

the selector is in a positio'n to impress a positive impulse upon rings 7 and 7, allowing,

throughp'erforations in tape 11, an impulse to oe sent over either line to ground, de-.

pendent upon whether the perforation is spaced along line 2 or 4 of the tape 11, thus operating eitherpens 20 or 20, as the case may be. Considering tape ii to move from right to left with relation to the brushes 12 and 13,521. distance equal to onefourth the distance between any two central perfora- -tions, as'll, the wiper I5fof, selector 5 will -iu; of the elements.

rotate, the shaft8 rotating from left to light, and move from; making contact between contacts 5 and 15* to making contact hetween contacts '5 and 15, thereby remov line l0 or elgmd the ground. The instant between any two impulses will be called a time interval or tape interval, and as described, four of these time intervals will exist between any two central-perforations of the tape 11. i

The size ofthe perforations in the trans mitting tape should be such that the brushes make contact with the collector rings before the current is placed on the collector rings in question, and that the current be removed fromthe ring); in question before the contact hetween the brush and collector ring is broken by the tape. This tends to insure a positive contact at the time the current is applied and removed, thus resulting in a positive operation of the printing pens, and

also eliminates the danger of burning the tape at the edges o'l' the perforations.

Fig. 5 shows thearrangcment of the print int; faces of the pens 20 to 20, the imprints being shown as printed on a stationary receiving surface, or as though all four pens are printed simultaneously upon a moving surface. Four tape intervals are considered equal 'to the lengtlrof the element 20 and one tape interval is equal to the longitudinal Pen 20 is controlled through perforations in tape ll, spaced longitudinally along line 1Q Pen 20 is controlled through perforations along either line 2 or 2' of tape 11. Pens 20 and :20 are controlled through perforations along lines 3 and 4, respectively, in tape 11. The method of combining these individual imprints of the pens to produce a desired character is as follows: lieferring'to Figs. 4, 5 and 8, the tape is perforated to trans: mit the letters A, ()and h. Considering the recording tape (Fig. 8) topass laterally from right to left under the type faces of Fig. 5 while the transmitting tape is pass ing under the brushes 12 and 13 of Fig. 2 from right to left, the letter A is produced .by first imprinting pen 20, then after four time intervals imprinting 20* again, and after a lapse of two time intervals imprinting type 20 and again after a lapse of one time interval imprinting type 20', thereby imprinting upon the recording tape the character A. The letter O is printed as follows: The penQO is first imprinted, and after a lapse of four time intervals the pen 20* is again imprinted. After a lapse of one time interval the pen 20 is imprinted; however, this pen is not influenced through a perforation along line 2 of tape 11, as reference to Fig. 1 will show that con 20 is connected to lineconductordl. Therefore, the perfo ration is placed along line 3 of tape lland 'in a line withthe position it should occupy along line 2, of tape 11 to be in proper time relation with the previous imprint. Following this imprint after a lapse of two time intervals, the pen 20' is imprinted, thereby producing the character 0. Char: actor E is imprinted as follows: Pen 20 is first imprinted; then, after a lapse of four time intervals pen 20 is imprinted as follows-at the instant when it is desired tojinprint 20 hrushes l0 and 10' are connected with a positive potential, as wiper 15 of con tact maker 5 is at this instantmaking contact through the contact 5 and 15* with'the positive lead of the generator 2. Thus, a positive impulse maybe sent through hrusli 10 to line 41, or through brush 10 to line 40. As-a positive impulse over line 10 is necessary to operate pen 20 the perforation in the tape 11 is spaced along line 2 of tape 11' and. directly opposite the position it should occupy along line l of tape 11. in order to be in the fourth tape interval. ,After im-- printing the pen 20 a lapse of one time interval, and pen 20 is imprinted, as has been explained in the foregoing description of the printing of character 0. Then, after a lapse of two timeintm'vals the pen 20 is imprinted, tci' E.

The spacing of the letters on the recording! tape, as sl1o\\'n.,is accomplished by allou'iuil' four tulle intervals ls-ctween the punchinggs for-each letter on the transmitting tape, as shown.

there-by producing the characmined number 15 ratio upon the speed of be observed from the foregoing.

that in order to produce a letter or numeral it is only necessary to imprint the proper nredetermined pens with a proper predeterof/time units or intervals between the instants of printing,'the number of time units being result desired.

The speed of the transmitting tape, im- 10 pulse selector and receiving tape is such as to move the transmitting tape one tape interval in the time required to produce the proper distance unit unon the recording tape. This requirement merely places a required the transmitter and receiver, and this ratio may be adjusted after an inspection of the work done. In Fig. 7, I have shown a section of transmitting tape of common form. In this tape the four positions for perforations upon the tape are shown by the lines 1, 2, 3 and 4, the

, perforations being positioned-in the tape at transversepositions corresponding. to each of these lines, producingupon the recording tape impressions of the correspondingly numbered pens, and the longitudinal,,,positions of the'imprintsu on the recording tape'are determined wh l by the longitudinal position, of; the transmitting tape. Inthissystemthe unit of time between impulses is represented by 'the' transverse dotted lines, from which it is clearly seenon comparing this tape wit the tape of my improved. device shown in Fig. 4, that the tape usedin my improved I device is about one-quarter that necessary for the same letter in the tape of Fig. 7-.

The record on the recording tape-Fig.- 8- is as shown when either transmitting.

tape is used in their respective systems.

It will be observed that a constant angular relation is maintained through the gearings 14iand 17 between the wiper 15 and the drum 10,'and as allow of four .impulses being selectively placed u on the brushes 10 to 10 during the angu ar rotation of the drum 10 through a distance represented by that between any two pinson thec'circumferenceof the drum, that it is only necessary in a,perforated message tape to provide that thefirst tape interval, whetherperforated to'send an impulse to imprint the pen 20 or not, shall always fall opposite one of the .the tape. When fthe" tape is so perforated with any mcssage,.it may be placed on the 'drum so that central perforations regis-.

ter with the prongs on the surface of the drum, and if the perforations have, been properly spaced both longitudinally and the line.

While I have illustrated and described my device in connection with two direct current dependent upon the United States Letters Patent is:

- means for impressing upon pulses of predetermined hers;

I and perforations: in thewires and this relation is such as to central perforations 'in' ductors and the message will be auto-. matically recorded at the recaiving end of generators as a source of supply, it is obvious that I may utilize any other Well.- known source of supply. Further, it is obvious'that while I have shown a particular design of device, many modifications may be made therein without departin from the spirit or narrowing thescope of my inven-- tion.

Having thUS' dBSCIlbBd my invei tion, what I claim as new and desire to secure b 1. In a system of printing telegraphy, a transmitter; a receiver; and conductors'connecting same; said transmitter comprisinga plurality of insulated conducting members; said conducting members in predetermined predetermined time intervals current impolarity, and means for selectively transferring said current impulses to said conductors.

52; In a system of printing telegraphy, a transmitter; a receiver, and conductors connectingtsame, said transmitter comprising a plur -ity of insulated conducting memmjeans for impressing upon said consequence and at ducting members in predetermined sequence at predetermined time intervalscurrent impulses of predetermined polarity and duration; collecting members bearing upon ,said conducting members and adapted to transfer said impulses selectively to said.

conductors.

3. In a system of printing telegraphy, a

transmitterpa receiver; and a pair of line ground collecting members bearing upon said conducting members; a source of current; and

means whereby impulses'froin said source, of predetermined may be placed through said collecting means upon said conducting means in a predetermined sequence and thence may be selectively placed on either of said lines and the ground.

4. In a system of printing telegraphy, a transmitter ground connecting same; said transmitter comprisinga plurality of conducting members; means for impressing upon said conducting members in. predetermined sequence and at predetermined time intervals current impulses of predetermined polarity and duration; and means for selectively transferring said current impulses in a predetormined sequence to either of said line conground; the duration of said such transfer depending wholly upon the impressing means.

, 5. In a system of printing tclegraphy, a transmitterga receiver; line conductors and, ground connecting same; said transmitter comprising a plurality 0f conducti'na? memimpulses on I connecting same, said transmitter COIIIPI'lSlIlg a plurality of msu polarity and duration,"

; a receiver; line conductors and bets; collecting members bearing upon said conducting members; transfer members bearing upon said conducting members and connected to said line conductors; a source of current; means whereby current impulsesfrom said source, of predetermined polarity and duration, may be placed in a predetermined sequence at predetermined time intervals through said collective members on said conducting members; and means whereby said impulses may be placed upon either of said lines and ground through said trans- ,fer members.

6. In a system of printing telegraphy, a transmitter; a receiver; line conductors and ground connecting same; said transmitter comprising a plurality of'conducting members; collecting members upon said conducting members; transfer members bearing upon said conducting members and con 'nected to said line conductors; a source of current; means whereby current impulses from said source, of predetermined polarity are placed over either of said line conductors and the ground. 7, In a system of telegraphy, a transmit; ter; a receiver; line conductors and ground anecting same; saidjtransmitter co1nprising a plurality of conducting members; collecting members upon said conducting members; transfer means bearing upon said conducting members, and connected to said line conductors; a source of current; means whereby current impulses from said; source of predetermined polarity and duration may be placed in a predetermined sequence through said collecting members on said conducting members; a tape between said conducting members and said transfer members and adapted through perforations therein to allow of selection and predetermination of the impulses which are placed over either of saidiline conductors andthe ground; the duration of said impulses being determined wholly by said impulse impressing means.

8. In a system for the communication ofintelligence, atransmitter; a receiver;'line conductors and ground. connecting same; said transmitter comprising a plurality of insulated conducting rings; a plurality of brushes bearing upon said rings; a source of current; an impulse selector connected to said source and adapted to transmit current impulses of predeterminedpolarity'and duration through said brushes to said conduct+ ing rings; a pair of brushes, one of each connected to one of each of said line conductors. and bearing upon said conducting rings; a tape between said pair of brushes and said rings, and adapted through perforations therein to permit said pair of brushes to make contact with said rings in a predetermined sequence.

S). In a system for the communication of intelligence, a transmitter; areceiver; line coi'ulu ctors and ground connecting same; said transmitter comprising a plurality of insulated conducting rings; a plurality of brushes bearing upon said rings; a source of current; an impulse selector connected to said source and adapted to transmit current impulses of predetermined polarity and duration through said brushes to said' conducting rings; a pair of brushes, one of each connected'to one of each of said line conductors, and bearing upon said conducting rings; a tape between said pair of brushes and said rings and adapted through perfm'ations therein to permit said pair of brushes to make contact with said rings ,in a predetermined sequence, the interval of connection between anyn'ing and any brush through any perforation in said tape being always great than the duration of the current impulse with which the ring is enliyened.

10'. In a printing telegraph system, de-' pending for its operation upon the sending in proper sequence of electrical impulses "over a line; a transmitter; a perforated tape for determining the sequenceof the impulses sent by said transmitter, the perforations of-said tape being arranged in trans verse rows, the longitudinal movement of the tape determining the timing of, the group of impulses represented by a transverse row; and a device associated with said transmitter for determining the sequenceof the impulses represented by the perforations in a transverse row.

11. In a printing telegraph system, de-

pending for its operation upon the sending I of electrical impulses over a line in proper kind and sequence; a transmitter; a perforated tape for determining the kind .of seoluence of impulses sent by said transmitter,

the perforations of said tape being arranged in transverse rows; means whereby the position of said perforations in saidirows determines the kind of impulse to be sent and a device associated with said transmitter for determining the sequence of the impulses represented by the perforations in a trans verse row. i V 1 H 12. In a printing telegraph system of the kind wherein characters are formed by sending electrical impulses in proper sequence over a line: a transmitter; a'perforatedtape for deti-zrmining the seqhence of the impulse sent by said transmitter, the pcrforatmns of said tape being arranged in transverse rows across said tape; a contact device cooperating with the perforations in said tape;

ing a plurality of insulated conducting members, means for impressing upon said.

' device associated with said transmitter for determining the sequence of the impulses represented by the perforations in a trans-.

verse I'OW.

13. In a system of printing telegraphy,

a transmitter, a receiver, and conductors connecting same, said transmitter comprisconducting members in predetermined sequence and atpredetermined time intervals current impulses of predetermined polarity and duration, and means for selectively transferring said current impulses in pre determined groups to said conductors.

14. In a printing telegraph transmitter, a plurality of insulated conducting members, a source of current, means for im-.\ pressing on said conducting members in predetermined sequence and a predetermined time intervals current impulses of predetermined polarity and duration from said source and means for selecting predetermined groups of said impulses for trans mission purposes: v

15.'In a printing telegraph system depending for its operation upon thetransmission inproper sequence of electrical current impulses a perforated tape, a comn'iutating device coacting with said tape for predete'rmining the sequence and duration of predetermined groups of said impulses thereon and the rows being substantially transverse with respect to the longitudinal dimension of the tape.

of a performated tape, a line over which such currentmay flow, and means controlled by said devices for permitting only predetermined impulses to flow over said line, of

17. Devices for producing an alternating current, a line over which such currentfiows, two polarized magnets connected in series to said line and operated alternately by the alternations of the current, circuit making "and breaking devices for connecting the current to and disconnecting it from the line,v f

and automatically operating means for caus- 16. The combination with devices I01 producing an alternating current independently ing irregular operations of the circuit making and breaking devices to come in prede termined relationship to the alternations of the current.

18. The combination. with a contact closing device, means independent of a perforated tape for impressing an alternating current upon one element of said device, and

a line connected to the other element, of a V perforated sheet normally separating the elements of said device, means for moving the sheet so rhatperforations therein will'io permit the device'to close in definite relationship to the alternations of the current, and two magnets connected to the line and operated independently by impulses flowing therethrough. Y s

19. The combination with devices forproducing an alternatingcur'rent independently of a perforated tape,va lineover which such current may How, and two magnets connected to the line and operative alternately by the alternations of the current, of means for intercepting desired alternations so as to exclude the same from said magnets.

20. The combination with a plurality of contact closing devices, means independent of a perforated tape for impressing the impulses of an alternating current upon one element of each device, a line connected to the other element of each device, and two magnets in each line, the magnets of each line being of opposite polarity, of means for normally holding the contact devices. open,

, and means for permitting the contact devices to close selectively so as to cause any de sired succession of operations of the magnets on saidlines a V I 21. The combination with a source of alternating current independent of the use of a perforated tape, two lines over which such current may sunult'neously flow, and two magnets connected to each line, one

magnet on each line being operatedby current in one direction and the other magnet on each line being operated by current in the reverse direction, of means forintercepting desired alternations on the lines inde pendcntly so as to cause said magnets to operate in any desired succession.

Signed-by meat Chicago, county of Cook and State of Illinois, in the presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES G. ASHLEY.

It is hereby certified that 11; Letters Patent No. 1,130,688, grenteohMaroh 2, 1915, upon the application of Charles Ashlev, of Chicago, I1linois,"for an-rmprgvemeet in Rapid. Printihg-Telegmph Systems, an error appears in the prmted specification requiring correction-as follows: Page 5, line 112, for the word of read and} and that the said L ers :Patent should be ead with this correction therein that the same mayeonfor'in to the record of the case in the I at'ent Office Signed and sealed this 23rd. day of March, A. D., 1915.

[emu] J. T. NEWTON,

Acting Commissz'mzer of Patents. 

